Trekking Tips

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Trekking Tips

Trek to Duke's Nose

What to Wear
Wear jeans and a T-shirt and if you like, wear a pair of shorts inside the jeans. This helps if you get see a waterfall that you want to get into or if you get drenched and want to dry your jeans off.
Wear a pair of shoes which are in good condition and comfortable, preferably something you have been used to wearing. Wear nylon socks as these tend to dry quickly.
And wear a light waterproof jacket – windcheaters are no good. If its hot, tie it around your waist. In the back-pack it takes up valuable space.
The back-pack
If you are serious about trekking, invest in a good quality back-pack: it should be made from strong material, have strong seams and zips in good working order. Also, choose one with multiple compartments - this helps to keep things like slippers separate from things like food. Get a back pack with two straps to sling over your two shoulders - the single strap one looks smart but puts the whole strain on only one shoulder. Apart from giving you a sore shoulder, it even upsets your balance.
Things to Carry
The basic things to carry are a change of T-shirt, a small footprint track pants, some medicine like Crocin and something for your stomach, a handkerchief and a towel. A bottle of water and a cap are a must, and carry a pair of sunglasses too.
Carry cotton wool, some antiseptic ointment, a roll of light bandage, scotch tape, a pair of scissors, a pair of tweezers to remove thorns if they get into your skin, a pen and a note pad.
This is the most important thing – wrap everything you carry in sealed plastic bags. If there is heavy rain and your bag gets drenched, you would have been better off without your bag. Everything you have carried is useless and its heavier than when you started.
Carry a pair of light slippers. These take up a lot of space, but they are invaluable on your return journey when you are in a dry train, but your feet remain drenched in your wet shoes – this could even lead to frostbite like condition if your feet remain wet for very long.
Also, carry your money wrapped in a waterproof plastic bag.
Food
Take bread and cheese in sufficient quantity. Bread is light to carry and cheese packs lots of calories in a small weight. Also carry lots of water, at least 1.5 liters per person. Although it is heavy, running short of water is one of the worst things to happen.
Additionally, take some cooked food along – like pulav. It is heavy on the way out but its over on the way back. Also, you enjoy the rest more with something tasty and nutritious to eat after a long haul.